---
title: "The Punyah Dance Festival: Classical Dance Curations in Bengaluru"
description: "Join us at the Punyah Dance Festival in Bengaluru. Explore our classical dance performances, workshops, and panels curated to foster artistic connection and community."
canonical: https://mytribe.in/parshwanath_upadhye/arts-curation-event-management/the-punyah-dance-festival-a-celebration-of-art
last_updated: 2025-09-08
---

# The Punyah Dance Festival

Tribe Verified · Three successful editions held in Bengaluru.

By [Parshwanath Upadhye](https://mytribe.in/parshwanath_upadhye) · Events at Punyah Theatre in Kalkere; Manages events across Bengaluru · ₹20K per event slot (approx. 5 hours) (estimate)

Part of [Arts Curation & Event Management](https://mytribe.in/parshwanath_upadhye/arts-curation-event-management). [View full gallery](https://mytribe.in/parshwanath_upadhye/arts-curation-event-management/gallery)

My flagship festival is a multi-day deep dive into Indian classical dance. From Bharatanatyam to Odissi, we host premieres, workshops, and panel discussions designed to connect artists and audiences in real, messy, and wonderful ways.

## Photos and videos

- ![Here is the full Day 1 schedule for the Punyah Dance Festival, Edition III. From the morning lamp lighting to a unique Bharatanatyam performance in Carnatic Music Format in the evening, the day is packed with diverse artistic events.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/9497d6da-2a79-49e0-bcee-3113912d9288)
- ![The schedule for Day 2 of our festival, detailing a full day of events from 9 AM to 9 PM. It includes lecture demonstrations like "The living voice of tradition Bala bani today" and the premiere of our production "Maya".](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/5130cd01-27f5-45d5-986a-fdbaa8a9f8c7)
- [Video: A quick video announcement for the second edition of the Punyah Dance Festival. I'm personally inviting everyone to join us for two days of workshops, panel discussions, and performances by eminent artists at Ravindra Kalakshetra.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/c3e7286b-2f91-41d2-934a-9a47f3607f23)
- [Video: Here I am, sharing the schedule for the first day of the Punyah Dance Festival. I'm also letting everyone know that the festival is available to watch online, so you can join us from anywhere in the world.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/42e5fada-1f0f-49bc-876b-0e94c22e1d35)
- ![As part of the festival's educational offerings, I conduct workshop sessions myself. This poster details my session on the process of creating a dance production, sharing insights from my own journey as a curator and performer.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/c122a5d6-02ba-4045-83f8-0236e696efea)
- ![Panel discussions are a key part of the festival, fostering dialogue within the arts community. This poster announces the Day 1 discussion featuring esteemed artists Deepika Potdar, Vinay Varanasi, and Subha Viswanath, which I had the pleasure of curating.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/01b5ccab-f842-424e-9527-fbc29eb12c86)
- ![We showcase a variety of classical forms at the festival. This poster highlights a solo Kuchipudi recital by Shri Sai Venkata Gangadhar, one of the morning performances on Day 1.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/0da2f815-4ecb-4a4d-925e-a630a31628fd)
- ![It is always an honor to feature legendary artists. This poster announces the solo Bharatanatyam recital by the esteemed Dr. Rajashree Warrier on the evening of Day 1.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/edef0ffc-aa54-4108-a530-6d55823e131f)
- ![Our own company's work is also featured. Here is the announcement for an unplugged version of "Nagamandala," a special performance by myself, Shruti Gopal, and Adithya PV.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/c8124b3a-4728-43e4-af1b-a5b2fe0ae25d)
- [Video: A glimpse into the magic of "Nagamandala" unplugged from Day 1 of the festival. The performance features incredible lighting design and live vocals, creating a truly immersive experience for the audience.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/9f2c914c-2b19-4080-b205-1720dd336ec7)
- ![The festival begins with performances by the next generation of artists. This poster details the "Nrithyopahara," a Tana Varnam performed by the students of Upadhye School of Dance.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/7c11e96a-f1d3-4dc2-8436-9fa2d6f5f7c2)
- ![We provide a platform for promising young talent. This poster announces the Bharatanatyam solo recital by Kum. Aswathi Suresh on Day 1 of the festival.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/e45066ba-c055-4b51-be9c-4cd6f911eb4b)
- ![Another highlight from our Day 1 lineup, this poster features Kum. Gouri Padmakumar for a Kuchipudi solo recital. It's important for me to showcase disciples of great gurus.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/0704e5d6-6d77-476e-9409-8625f831e83e)
- ![Day 2 of the festival continues with diverse performances, including this Odissi recital by Shri Krishnendu Saha, a disciple of Guru Smt. Sharmila Biswas.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/bfbe1397-4aa4-4b91-8fd7-a9e78025560c)
- ![Lecture demonstrations provide deep insights into the art form. This poster announces a lec-dem on "Shrungara in Dasa Pada" by Shri Karthik Hebbar on Day 2.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/adf5ab9a-1f48-4ef0-9537-2a8605a4e2a2)
- ![We were thrilled to have Dr. Sheela Unnikrishnan lead a lecture demonstration titled "Marvels of Melattur Bani Unveiled" on Day 2 of the festival.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/f04661bd-16b5-40f0-94a3-8de509d8e6c5)
- !["Let's Jam" sessions are where spontaneous creation happens. This poster announces a jam session with Smt. Shruti Gopal and Smt. Harshitha Vidya, a unique and interactive part of the festival.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/0267e530-aa4f-4399-9968-71551454d9f8)
- ![The "Adavu Jam" on Day 2, led by Shri Adithya PV, is another interactive session that gets everyone involved in the fundamental movements of dance.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/1a1b5e55-3537-4974-b727-8317707c487d)
- ![A performance by the students of Upadhye School of Dance, "Tap Gudu Gudu Tum," brings a playful and energetic element to the festival's second day.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/f269ce26-d06f-47a5-8559-e783ae9fc195)
- ![Day 2 begins, just like the first, with a traditional "Gaana Nrithyarpane" and the lighting of the lamp, setting a sacred tone for the day's events.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/beddbba2-5f80-4530-8913-95846c63b76f)
- ![The inaugural moment of the festival. The lighting of the lamp is a sacred tradition that marks the beginning of our celebration of art and community.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/1ee876a6-8c63-4fec-8aa9-71b52e6d01bc)
- ![We conclude Day 1 with a soulful Bhajan and Arati session by the Chikhale Bhajana Mandali, grounding the day's artistic fervor in spiritual tradition.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/7f6f18c8-fffd-4a12-895e-9c7c8553ebc6)
- ![Another poster for the closing Bhajan and Arati by the Chikhale Bhajana Mandali. It's a tradition we hold dear, bringing a sense of peace and community to the festival.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/f8501034-71a6-44f1-a1a5-0d177ea69343)
- ![Our friends from the Chikhale Bhajana Mandali arriving for the festival. Their presence and performance are an integral part of the event's spirit.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/80ef92fc-e9f7-4cc2-a4e9-b8873bbfa4e2)
- ![A closer look at the members of the Chikhale Bhajana Mandali. Their dedication to the tradition of Bhajan is truly inspiring and enriches our festival.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/cc9553db-5c40-4cef-a166-407a0add7520)
- ![The Chikhale Bhajana Mandali arriving in Belagavi. We bring artists from different regions to share their unique traditions with our audience.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/d0796883-5cc2-4488-9143-dc12cd454aea)
- ![This poster announces a solo Bharatanatyam recital by Smt. Preethi Bharadwaj, another one of the diverse performances featured on Day 1.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/f5293a4f-4e18-4486-97be-f310894d654e)
- ![A festival of this scale is not possible without support. This poster acknowledges our gratitude for our Gold Partner, Maayakriya, and our Gifting Partners, Kalpakala and Angulam.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/436c18fe-56c9-4800-bdd6-0fe81e2f94fc)
- [Video: The word is out! A little humor goes a long way in announcing the Punyah Dance Festival. This video captures the excitement and buzz we aim to create around the event.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/1e9de55e-9f90-4027-a24c-3d2cb04462e7)
- [Video: Spreading the news about the festival, one phone call at a time. This humorous take shows how news travels in our community. Don't tell anyone!](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/3774df3b-462c-4831-9b9c-6c976522c068)
- [Video: Even the youngest members of the community are curious about the Punyah Dance Festival. Art is for everyone, and we love seeing this kind of engagement.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/890d2991-2732-40bd-a016-545c510d66e5)
- [Video: We are a community that supports each other. Here, Dr. Sheela Unni and the Sridevi Natyalaya ensemble graciously announce they will be performing after a last minute change in the schedule.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/46b97452-0ca4-4741-85a8-24157700efa4)
- [Video: The energy of a group performance at the Punyah Dance Festival. This video captures the dynamic choreography, lighting, and collaborative spirit that defines our productions.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/315739c5-d988-439c-9c13-3179d2afe236)
- [Video: A personal message from me about the upcoming Punyah Dance Festival. I like to connect directly with our audience to share important details and my excitement for the event.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/2c59cd86-6602-4ee7-a2db-30f151519a58)
- ![The official announcement for the 3rd edition of the Punyah Dance Festival. The image of the traditional lamp symbolizes the light of art we aim to share over two full days.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/51415c2b-1834-4c96-bd78-c6bd788bef6e)

## About The Punyah Dance Festival: A Celebration of Art

Managing a festival like this involves more than just a schedule, it is about balancing artistic vision with the inevitable chaos of live production—the *apashakunam* that pops up, the technical glitches, and the last-minute changes. My goal is to hold that space for you, so you can focus on the performances and the community while I manage the craft of bringing it all together.

The Punyah Dance Festival is not a passive viewing experience. It is a living lab where the line between the stage and the audience blurs. When I curate this, I look for more than just technical precision; I look for the 'fire' in the performance. Whether it is a solo Bharatanatyam recital, a deep-dive lecture demonstration, or an intense panel discussion, every session is designed to foster a dialogue about the future of classical dance.

We typically host these across key cultural hubs in Bengaluru, including Ravindra Kalakshetra, ensuring that the environment supports both the intimacy of a solo recital and the energy of a full-scale ensemble production. You will find everything from traditional *margam* presentations to experimental retellings of classics like 'Nagamandala' or 'Maya'. 

My approach to curation is grounded in 'Nritya, Kalike, Karma'—dance, learning, and action. This means the festival includes hands-on workshops where we dissect the process of creating a dance production, spontaneous jam sessions, and dialogues that don't shy away from the hard questions in the arts community. If you are looking to collaborate, present a new work, or simply engage with a community that treats classical dance as a living, breathing discipline rather than a museum piece, this is where we start.

## About Parshwanath Upadhye

I didn't wait for a stage, so I built one. Through the Punyah Dance Festival, I work to bridge the gap between performers and audiences by creating an environment that feels less like a formal recital and more like a community lab where art is alive and essential.

[See all of Parshwanath Upadhye's services](https://mytribe.in/parshwanath_upadhye)

## More from Arts Curation & Event Management by Parshwanath Upadhye

- [Featured](https://mytribe.in/parshwanath_upadhye/arts-curation-event-management/featured)
- [The Punyah Theatre: Our Home for the Arts](https://mytribe.in/parshwanath_upadhye/arts-curation-event-management/the-punyah-theatre-our-home-for-the-arts)
- [International Stages & Special Collaborations](https://mytribe.in/parshwanath_upadhye/arts-curation-event-management/international-stages-special-collaborations)
- [Nartaka Festival: Celebrating Male Dancers](https://mytribe.in/parshwanath_upadhye/arts-curation-event-management/nartaka-festival-celebrating-male-dancers)
- [Artist Development & Showcase](https://mytribe.in/parshwanath_upadhye/arts-curation-event-management/artist-development-showcase)
- [The Community & The Chaos](https://mytribe.in/parshwanath_upadhye/arts-curation-event-management/the-community-the-chaos)

## More services by Parshwanath Upadhye

- [Dance Performances & Productions](https://mytribe.in/parshwanath_upadhye/dance-performances-productions)
- [Bharatanatyam Dance Training & Workshops](https://mytribe.in/parshwanath_upadhye/bharatanatyam-dance-training-workshops)

## Similar work from other experts

- [Bharatanatyam Workshops and Lecture-Demonstrations](https://mytribe.in/shreyasigopinath/bharatanatyam-dance-classes/workshops-collaborations) by Shreyasi Gopinath · Bharatanatyam Dance Classes · Online classes and at studios in Gurugram & New Delhi
- [Classical Dance Festival Performances in Bangalore](https://mytribe.in/natesha-nrithyalaya/dance-productions/festival-stage-performances) by Natesha Nrithyalaya · Dance Productions · Available for shows across Bengaluru
- [Kalāmārga Nrityotsava: Annual Bharatanatyam Festival in Bengaluru](https://mytribe.in/divthedancer/bharatanatyam-classes-workshops/kal-m-rga-nrityotsava-a-festival-of-dance) by Divya Hoskere · Bharatanatyam Classes & Workshops · Classes at Kanakapura Road, Bengaluru
- [Kalāmārga Nrityotsava: A Celebration of Classical Dance](https://mytribe.in/dhaatupuppettheater/cultural-festivals-exhibitions/kal-m-rga-nrityotsava-a-celebration-of-dance) by Dhaatu Puppet Theater · Cultural Festivals & Exhibitions · Hosted at Mandala Cultural Centre, Bengaluru
- [Upcoming Bharatanatyam Performances & Events](https://mytribe.in/indirakadambi/indian-classical-arts-training/upcoming-performances-workshops) by Indira Kadambi · Indian Classical Arts Training · Classes at Ambalam Foundation, Jigani; Training available across Bengaluru
- [Bharatanatyam Workshops & Community Engagements](https://mytribe.in/adithya.pv/bharatanatyam-performances/workshops-community) by Adithya · Bharatanatyam Performances · Performs across Bengaluru & India

## Book

To book Parshwanath Upadhye, message mytribe on WhatsApp: [Chat on WhatsApp](https://wa.me/916360004054?text=Namaste%20Parshwanath%2C%20I%20saw%20the%20Punyah%20Dance%20Festival%20page.%20I'm%20interested%20in%20collaborating%20or%20participating.%20Can%20we%20chat%3F)